A 73-year-old transsexual is to have gender-changing surgery - courtesy of the taxpayer.

In November Vicki Harvey, from Opunake, in Taranaki, sees a plastic surgeon in Christchurch, from which she will take the final step towards completing her transition to womanhood with the Government picking up the $30,000 bill.

After the operation she will be able to legally change the gender on her birth certificate to "female."

"I am entering the latter years of what has been a troubled life. I have no wealth, no income, and I have a gambling habit.

"Having the surgery will allow me to at least fulfil myself as a woman before I die," Ms Harvey said.

Ms Harvey used to be a professional soldier, serving 20 years in the NZ Army during which she drove Centurion tanks.

But she went to a battalion reunion this year in a skirt and blouse.

Though she is puzzled by the necessity for it, she will first be assessed for suitability for "gender reassignment surgery" by the psycho-surgical team in November. If they give the green light, she will have the operation sometime next year.

The surgeon is Dr Peter Walker, the only plastic surgeon in New Zealand who is doing transgender work.

Ms Harvey will have to pay the pre-op consultation costs of about $1200 plus air fares, and post-operative support costs. The Ministry of Health will pay for the operation.

She was part of the political lobbying campaign that resulted in the Minister of Health agreeing last year to fund a small number of operations.

Ms Harvey says there are many misconceptions about gender issues.

"There are people who think that transsexuals are basically gay and that they want the surgery in order to get men. But who would put themselves through the mental and physical pain in order to satisfy a lust?"

Another is that a transsexual is a woman trapped in a man's body. "I'm not trapped, I am a woman."

She has lived in Opunake for three years, boarding with a supportive friend.

"I've been extremely happy here. I've made friends, I act in the local plays, I've gained some respect within the community.

"I dress as anybody does in Opunake - how I please and for the weather and comfort. What I wear has nothing to do with who I am. I can dress up, I can dress down.